"Finally, the big day has arrived..."

  Two months of constant training had passed. Student and teacher had practiced tirelessly to ensure there would be no room for failure on this decisive day.

  "Giyo! Hurry up!" Paola sat on her sofa, shouting for the boy. "The selection day is here, so don't even think about backing out!"

  "Hahaha, don't worry, Paola. I'm coming out now..."

  When he stepped out of the room, Paola’s eyes widened and her jaw dropped, stunned by the outfit she herself had given him. Black boots, white trousers, a red shirt with a spiral-shaped crest on the chest, and a flowing black cloak over his shoulders.

  "Incredible! I didn't expect you to look so dashing, fufufu." Paola approached, scanning him from head to toe.

  "I have to say, not even my family ever gave me such formal clothing." Giyo looked at himself, admiring the reflection. "But the day is finally here. I can't stand still or give up! I've trained hard, and now, I’m going to pass!"

  "Yes, you will." She cheered at his enthusiasm. "Since I’m a professor, you’ll have to stand on your own among the other candidates. From what the Headmaster told me, there are over 40 participants, so give it your all."

  As they left the dormitory and headed toward the selection grounds, a massive crowd had gathered in front of the main gates. Families and students were huddled together, offering greetings and support. However, as Giyo stepped out from under his protector’s wing, many eyes turned toward him, judging his attire and the markings on his body.

  Paola kept a steady smile, knowing she had taught him well how to stand firm in situations like this. Soon, the Headmaster arrived accompanied by several professors. Paola hurried to join them, leaving the boy with a simple wave.

  The Headmaster stopped in the middle of the path, spreading his arms wide with enthusiasm.

  "It is a pleasure to have you all gathered here on this great day! As you know, I am the Headmaster of this academy, Hiro Ualter—the man in charge of this year's selection." He gestured toward the participants. "I can already see and feel the energy of some very powerful students here. I hope you can prove your capabilities." Finally, he tucked his hands into his pockets, exuding confidence. "Know this: holding back is not an option. From the moment you stepped onto these grounds, you have been evaluated from head to toe... But now, it’s time to reveal the location of the first phase. Follow me!

  Hiro turned and led the way into the school, with everyone following closely behind. Behind a strange door in the hallway, the great testing hall was revealed—a space vast enough to accommodate everyone present.

  As the crowd gathered around the arena, the Headmaster walked to the center, once again exuding his confident aura.

  "The first test is combat. Here, we will test the strength of each individual... but there are limits!" He projected his voice, his tone serious to ensure everyone’s undivided attention. "Killing, causing grievous injury, or fleeing is strictly forbidden. If you feel you cannot win, raise your hand and declare your defeat!" His gaze swept over the candidates, cold and menacing. "Break a rule, and you will be disqualified immediately. We shall begin the first rounds. Good luck to all."

  The first round began. Two opponents positioned themselves on opposite sides of the arena. As the match started, they lunged at each other with direct strikes, followed by simple spells. Soon, one of them hit the ground, raising a hand to concede.

  'I see... so surrendering doesn't mean failing...', Giyo noted, scanning the room for those who stood out from the crowd. 'From what I can tell, there are a few people with a different presence. A muscular girl wrapped in bandages, a hooded figure, a blue-haired boy with trembling eyes, and a... big girl?'

  His observation was sharp; those who caught his eye radiated an aura far beyond the average student.

  The bandaged girl had green hair with yellow streaks, blue eyes, and wore simple training gear with wrappings around her body. The hooded figure carried only a wooden sword—plain, yet highly suspicious. The blue-haired boy looked nervous; despite his strong build, he seemed terrified of something. Then there was the girl who seemed "large," with oversized hands and forearms; her physique was impressive for someone her age, hidden under very baggy clothes.

  The rounds went by as the participants fought until only a few remained in the hall.

  "Round 38: Asuna Vermilion VS Kirio Ualter." one of the professors announced.

  "Hum." The girl smirked as she stepped into the arena. "So, my time to fight has finally come."

  "Hm..." The boy simply nodded, heading to his side of the ring.

  The two opponents stood face-to-face, poised and ready. Kirio held a unique combat stance: hands open like blades, moving in a way that mimicked a serpent. Asuna kept her arms crossed, her gaze cold and serious.

  The professor gave the signal to begin... but neither moved.

  Hiro was surprised by the change in atmosphere; the other students felt the tension and began to focus. The previous rounds were just basic punches and kicks, but this time, something big was coming.

  "What's wrong? Are you afraid?" Asuna teased.

  "No..." Kirio stood his ground, though a cold sweat ran down his face. "On the contrary, I'm trying to find an opening."

  'An opening?' Giyo wondered as he watched. 'But she’s completely relaxed. Just stepping in should be enough to land a hit.'

  "Hahahahahaha!" The girl’s laughter sounded like a song, yet it carried an unsettling edge. "You really must be one of the good ones. In that case..." Asuna shifted into a more inviting stance, spreading her arms as if ready to take any hit. "How about I stay like this? I’ll even let you land the first punch."

  Kirio shuffled his feet but remained stationary.

  "Don't play games with me. I know you're trying to trick me." His eyes stayed locked on hers.

  Her face darkened into a furious, serious expression.

  "Hm, so you really are a coward." She clenched her left fist. "Allow me to end this with a single strike!"

  Her closed fist glowed with a greenish hue as the wind gathered violently around it. Kirio finally made his move, lunging directly at her! As he closed the distance, Asuna threw a punch, but Kirio dodged, his hands guiding the air like a dance. A trail of water followed his movement until he drove a strike straight into the girl's stomach!

  The impact sent her crashing against the wall. She groaned in pain, clutching the surface to keep her balance. She lunged back; her punch whipped through the air with a sharp breeze that, while missing its mark, sliced Kirio's cheek.

  Kirio guided his hands again, landing two more strikes on Asuna’s stomach, but to his shock, the girl stood her ground this time! Raising both arms, Asuna caught Kirio in a crushing bear hug, squeezing with enough force to crack a few bones. He screamed in pain, though it wasn't a lethal injury.

  Falling to the ground, Kirio delivered a kick to Asuna's chin followed by a swift sweep that knocked her off balance. Both were down—a moment of mutual vulnerability. However, the girl was faster. She sprang up with a quick maneuver and stepped firmly onto Kirio's face.

  "Give up. Fighting a pathetic being like you is beneath me," the girl said, her gaze ice-cold.

  Kirio felt the sting of pain and the weight of humiliation.

  "Never! I can't lose... not in front of my father..."

  "Hum..." She glanced toward the Headmaster, who was watching the combat with undivided attention. "So, you're the Headmaster's little boy... I must say, you're more pathetic than I expected! I thought you'd be on your father's level, or at least be able to stand equal to me... Turns out, I was dead wrong." Her gaze returned to the boy, a smirk spreading across her lips. "From what I understand, the rules don't forbid knocking out an opponent... in other words, a forced surrender."

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  Despite Asuna openly speaking about a knockout, none of the professors dared to move, proving her theory correct. With a simple movement, lifting her foot from Kirio's face, she channeled her magic to prime a devastating kick. With a sudden burst of speed... BOOM!

  The impact shattered the ground. Wind and dust clouded the area where the boy had been lying. However, as the dust cleared, Asuna realized she had kicked nothing but the floor! Looking to the side, she noticed the presence of the marked boy... Giyo had pulled Kirio away just in time.

  The professors stood up to intervene, but Headmaster Hiro stopped them with a wave of his hand.

  "What do you think you're doing?" Hiro asked.

  "I can't allow such humiliation! He was fighting with everything he had... and this girl looked down on him!" Giyo pointed firmly at Asuna, his expression stern and filled with rage. "As you said yourself: 'give it your all.' So, if the rules don't stop someone from knocking out an opponent, they don't stop me from stepping in to end this cowardice."

  "KAAAAAAAAKAKAKA! You truly do surprise me, kid. Very well, I’ll allow your bold intervention... but there’s one catch." Hiro’s gaze turned serious again, cutting through the tension. "You’ll have to take Kirio's place right now."

  "Consider it done!" Giyo declared. The finger he was pointing at the girl curled into a tight fist, a testament to his willpower. His eyes locked onto hers, burning with determination. "I’ll prove the true value of strength to this girl myself."

  Asuna crossed her arms, remaining calm and radiating a sense of superiority.

  "Fine by me. Just another weakling for me to eliminate."

  "Round 38 Restarted: Asuna Vermilion VS Giyo!"

  The crowd grew electric as the match resumed. The hooded figure and the large-handed girl looked on, stunned by the boy's audacity. Giyo and Asuna stared each other down, neither taking a formal stance, both supremely confident in their own way of fighting.

  'What a strange boy... he doesn't even look like he wants to attack,' Asuna thought. 'At least I can try to sense his power level... and...' Her cold gaze suddenly shifted to pure shock. "Wait a second... do you...?"

  "So, you’ve noticed, haven't you? My teacher explained how people can sense others' presence and power through mana. But to your surprise, I don't have a drop of mana in me!" he announced with a proud grin. "I'll fight you head-on, with nothing but my own two fists."

  "Hahahaha!" Asuna seemed genuinely amused, laughing at the situation. "Seriously? I don't see how you'll manage to land a hit or even hurt me. How pathetic."

  Seizing the moment of distraction, Giyo lunged like a gale toward Asuna, landing a solid punch to her ribs. She groaned in pain, immediately retaliating with a strike to his face, but he didn't even flinch. Giyo followed up with a knee to her stomach and shoved her back with all his might.

  'How can this boy fight me as an equal? I was holding back my strength so I wouldn't hurt anyone... but clearly, I can't keep hiding it from him!' Asuna thought. "Damn you! You're going to regret doing this to me!"

  Asuna charged and threw a punch; Giyo blocked with his forearm, feeling the pain intensify. He countered with another blow to her ribs, but this time, she didn't budge. Giyo tried to create distance, but Asuna wouldn't let him, advancing with a sharp uppercut to his chin.

  The boy hit the ground, and Asuna began to stomp down with all her strength, trying to crush him. Giyo dodged every strike and repositioned himself, facing her once more. They both went in for the kill, their fists colliding with each other's faces in a brutal exchange. The spectators were buzzing with excitement; the professors grew worried. Paola looked terrified at the escalating violence, while Hiro simply smiled at the display.

  'I trained so hard for this day... I felled trees, I sparred with Hiro himself, and look at this... this magicless brat is matching my strength?! My family is renowned as the strongest... how can a mere boy like him... KEEP UP?!' Asuna thought, her frustration boiling over. "AHHHHHHH!!" she screamed in a rush of adrenaline.

  Charging another punch with her magic, Asuna struck the boy's face. Blood smeared across his skin, but Giyo’s smile didn't fade. He retaliated by grabbing her neck, spinning her rapidly, and slamming her against the wall. Exhausted and panting, she was at his mercy. Giyo lunged forward, and at the very last second, he pulled the blow, punching the wall beside her head. Dust filled the air as a massive crack split the concrete beneath the boy's scarred fist.

  "Give up... you’ve lost..." Giyo said, breathless, drenched in sweat and clearly exhausted.

  "I... I..." Asuna wanted to keep fighting, but seeing that he could still go on and that things might spiral out of control... she gave in. "I forfeit."

  With Asuna’s surrender, the hall erupted in cheers. Paola looked visibly relieved by Giyo’s victory. The professor officially announced the winner as the boy stepped away from the arena.

  "Hm." A small smile played on his lips; this was his first major victory in years. 'She really is incredibly strong.' He gripped his own arm, which was trembling from fatigue. 'That was a close call. I almost lost,' he thought.

  Asuna retreated from the arena, heading to a corner to recover alone. She covered her face, her cheeks flushing a light red from a mix of shame and adrenaline. 'That boy... he... he’s actually on my level... I can't wait to run into him after the selection,' she thought, her mind racing.

  "Now that the penultimate round is over, we move to the final match... Pan Sun VS Petra!" one of the professors announced.

  Giyo turned around in surprise as the two stepped into the ring. The figure previously hidden under a hood revealed her true appearance: long crimson hair and noble attire adorned with gold details. Her family crest was emblazoned on her chest—a sun with a spiral at its center.

  The girl with the massive arms and imposing physique also entered the arena. Both watched each other’s every move.

  "I-I recommend you forfeit," Petra said. Her voice was thin and very low, tinged with shyness.

  "Don't think I'm going to throw away this chance. I need to exceed expectations after that last round," Pan Sun replied.

  "Y-you don't understand... my strength... it might end up killing you..." Petra whispered, fidgeting with her fingers out of sheer nervousness.

  Pan drew her wooden sword, holding a steady stance and leveling the tip of the blade at Petra. "Don't worry. I know exactly when to stop."

  Pan lunged toward her opponent, delivering a flurry of rapid thrusts. Burn marks appeared on Petra's skin, and with a fluid motion, Pan left a trail of flames in the air like a blade's edge, landing a shallow cut on Petra's arm.

  Petra grew tense. With a heavy slam to the ground, she caused jagged rocks to erupt from the floor! Pan leaped back, dodging the shards, but Petra used her massive hands to launch herself forward, catching Pan mid-air. Grabbing the smaller girl's frame, Petra slammed her into the ground with overwhelming force. Pan bled, but she seemed steady.

  Petra charged once more, but Pan dodged gracefully, as if she were dancing. Channeling her strength, Pan delivered a precise strike to Petra’s chest, knocking the wind out of her.

  "It’s not a serious injury. You can forfeit and rest now," Pan said calmly.

  Petra raised her hand, signaling her surrender. With that, the matches came to a close as the crowd erupted in applause.

  "I am impressed! I didn't expect everyone to be in such peak condition. As you can see, the first day of selection has concluded. Please, rest well and return tomorrow for the mental evaluation," Hiro bowed in gratitude. "I look forward to seeing you all."

  As everyone filed out, buzzing about the fights, someone grabbed Giyo's shirt, stopping him in his tracks.

  "H-hey... don't tell me you’ve forgotten about me," said the girl with the wooden sword.

  "N-no..." Giyo was startled by her approach, feeling a bit flustered. "Hello, Pan. It seems you didn't fall victim to our mother either."

  Pan looked at the ground, her expression darkening. "I'm only here out of obligation. But I didn't expect to see you... I thought you were... dead. That's what mother and our brothers told us."

  "I see. So even our brothers are in on the lie." Giyo reached out and patted Pan’s head—a rare moment of affection between them. "Look, your little brother is doing just fine, okay?"

  The girl got annoyed, giving him a light swat on the head and pouting.

  "Don't treat me like that! I'm older than you, remember?! Even if you seem to be... growing..."

  "Hahaha, I've been eating well and training hard. That must be it."

  "Anyway, stay sharp. Our brothers probably have some absurd plan in motion. I can't give you the details now, but after the selection, I'll tell you everything. Until then." Pan waved and went her own way.

  As he smiled, watching his sister leave, Giyo was suddenly hit by a punch to his back. Wincing from the impact, he turned around to see his opponent from the previous round standing right there.

  "Hey! That hurt! What do you want?" Giyo complained, rubbing his back.

  "Hum." Asuna looked away, her cheeks flushing. "I just wanted to see if you were actually as tough as you look." Her words were cold, hard as stone. 'Damn, he’s actually cute up close... I think I’m going to lose it,' she thought, struggling to keep her cool. "Well... today, you were the only one to fight me as an equal. In fact... since I started my training, you're the only one who has managed to stand against me in that form." Asuna blushed even deeper, feeling vulnerable. "Th-thank you... You showed me that I still have a long way to go."

  Holding out her hand for a handshake, Asuna shared a rare moment of sincerity. Her effort to be polite was plain to see. Giyo smiled and shook her hand, showing his mutual respect. Immediately after, the girl hurried away, unable to look him in the eye after such a display.

  The day came to an end, and Giyo could finally rest, reflecting on the chaos of the first selection test. But one thing kept him awake... Pan's warning about his older brothers.

  Sun Mansion...

  "Are you serious? You really saw him?!" Law asked, his voice filled with surprise.

  "Yes. I really saw him today. He managed to go toe-to-toe with the girl from the Vermilion clan." Pan stood before her brother, her voice laced with bitterness. "He seems physically stronger, but he's still the same as always: without a single drop of mana."

  Law crossed his arms, a smirk spreading across his face as if he were anticipating something. He walked toward the hallway window, gazing at the moonlight.

  "I see. I must say, I didn't expect this outcome." Law narrowed his eyes. "If Giyo is truly alive, should we consider him an ally or an enemy? Only time will tell."